Biomedical stimulation lead

Abstract

A biomedical stimulation lead wherein the lead body is preformed into a helical configuration to assist in anchoring the lead. The lead includes a non-conducting member extending forward of the lead electrode along the axis of the lead body, and tines extending perpendicularly from the member. The tines are flat in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the lead.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A biomedical stimulation lead for insertion in an epidural space comprising: a lead body, having a distal end and a proximal end, including a conductor and an external casing made of pliable material generally inert to body fluids, the casing enclosing the conductor;   attachment means mounted adjacent the distal end of the lead body for attaching by fibrosis within the epidural space;   an exposed electrode mounted on the lead body spaced proximally away from the attachment means for stimulating within the epidural space, the electrode being conductively connected to the conductor; and   wherein the lead body is formed in a helix at a location proximally spaced from the electrode, the helix being generally coaxial with the lead body for bearing outward to hold the lead body within its position in the epidural space and for absorbing intermittent longitudinal pressure on the lead body in a proximal direction.   
     
     
       2. The lead of claim 1 wherein the attachment means comprises: a plurality of pliable tines mounted on the lead body.   
     
     
       3. The lead of claim 2 wherein the tines are substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the lead body. 
     
     
       4. The lead of claim 3 wherein the tines are rectangular plank-like members. 
     
     
       5. The lead of claim 4 wherein the tines are spaced proximally approximately 0.3 inches from the distal end of the lead body. 
     
     
       6. The lead of claim 1, wherein the helix includes at least two full turns and has an outside diameter of approximately 0.2 inches. 
     
     
       7. The lead of claim 6 wherein the helix is a lefthand helix when viewed from the distal end in the proximal direction. 
     
     
       8. A biomedical stimulation lead for insertion in an elongated narrow body cavity comprising: a lead body, having a distal end and a proximal end, including a conductor and an external casing made of pliable material generally inert to body fluids, the casing enclosing the conductor;   a plurality of pliable tines mounted on the lead body adjacent the distal end of the lead body, generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the lead body, for attachment by fibrosis within the body cavity;   a helix formed in the lead body at a first location spaced away from the tines, the helix being generally coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the lead body and sized for bearing outward to hold its position in the body cavity and for absorbing intermittent longitudinal pressure on the lead body in a proximal direction; and   a stimulation electrode mounted on the lead body at a second location between the tines and the helix and conductively connected to the conductor.   
     
     
       9. The lead of claim 8 wherein: the tines are rectangular plank-like members mounted approximately 0.3 inches from the distal end of the lead body.   
     
     
       10. The lead of claim 8 wherein: the helix includes at least two full turns and has an outside diameter of approximately 0.2 inches.